Device for fixing a flexible tube to an aquarium tank

ABSTRACT

A fixing device for fixing a flexible tube to an aquarium tank, of the type including a support element for the flexible tube having a substantially U-like curved shape and suitable to be engaged astride an edge of the tank. The support element includes a first half-shell and a second half-shell juxtaposed to each other to form a housing seat of predetermined section for housing the flexible tube.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for fixing a flexible tube to an aquarium tank.

The device is of the type comprising a tube support element having substantially U-like curved shape, and suitable to be engaged astride on a tank edge.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the aquarium field the need for connecting the aquarium tank to external accessories, such as filters, pumps, heaters is known.

To such purpose, an adduction tube and, respectively, an exhaust tube connect the tank to allow the water circulation from the tank towards the accessories and vice versa.

The tank of an aquarium is normally made of glass. For this reason it is desirable to avoid holes on the bottom or on the walls of the tank for allowing the tubes through.

To attain this aim, placing the tube astride the tank mouth edge is preferred.

Normally, the tubes for aquaria are flexible to allow ease of maneuvring and, to such purpose, they are made of a plastic soft material, such as soft PVC, or they have such a structure as to obtain a desired flexibility.

Taking into consideration such flexibility, it is necessary to ensure a steady positioning of the flexible tube on the tank mouth to avoid an undesired movement thereof, as well as a possible risk of the tube kinking.

To attain this aim, there is widespread use of a flexible tube support element having substantially U-like curved shape which is engaged astride a tank mouth edge.

The known element substantially has the shape of a stiff piece of tube with a curved U-like shape.

This piece of tube rests on the upper edge of the tank and it is connected, by means of fittings, to the flexible tube. The fittings normally comprise devices for quick coupling with the flexible tube.

This known solution, however, exhibits the drawback of requiring the use of specific fittings for the flexible tube and for the stiff piece of tube, to the disadvantage of an increased number of pieces depending on the dimensions of the tubes which are employed each time.

Moreover, the fittings require continuous controls of water seals with a cost burden and inconvenience to the user.

In another known solution, to avoid the use of fittings, the use is provided, in place of the flexible tube, of a single stiff tube for its whole length. The stiff tube is curved in correspondence with the point of fixing to the tank. The use of a rigid tube, however, exhibits the drawback of a limited maneuverability and it is also particularly uncomfortable to be used in environment of small dimensions.

The stiff tube also has a limited adaptability to tanks having edges of different thicknesses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Starting from the above cited drawbacks group, the technical problem underlying the present invention is that of making a device for fixing a flexible tube to an aquarium tank which allows, with a limited number of pieces, a firm positioning of flexible tubes having different diameters.

Such technical problem is solved according to the invention by a fixing device of the above mentioned type wherein the support element comprises a first half-shell and a second half-shell, which are juxtaposed to each other to form a seat of predetermined section for housing the flexible tube.

Further characteristics and advantages of the fixing device according to the invention will be apparent from the following description of an embodiment thereof given by way of indicative and non limiting example with reference to the annexed drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a fixing device according to the invention under a disassembled condition in association with a flexible tube.

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged scale first half-shell of the fixing device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a enlarged second scale half-shell of the fixing device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a further enlarged scale detail of the second half-shell of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows a view of the assembled fixing device of FIG. 1, mounted astride an edge of a tank aquarium.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the annexed drawings, reference number 10 generally indicates a fixing device according to the present invention for fixing a flexible tube 12 to a tank 15 of an aquarium.

In the case of the illustrated solution, it can be a corrugated tube 12 in soft PP.

FIG. 5 shows an upper edge 14 of an aquarium tank 15 mouth whereon the fixing device 10 according to the present invention is fixed.

The device 10 comprises a support element 16 for the flexible tube 12 of the type having a substantially U-like curved shape, and suitable to be engaged astride the edge 14 of the tank mouth.

According to the invention, the support element 16 comprises a first half-shell 18 and a second half-shell 20 (FIG. 1) suitable to be juxtaposed to each other to form a housing seat 22 of sufficient predetermined section to house the flexible tube 12.

Preferably, each one of the two half-shells, respectively 18 and 20, substantially has the shape of a half-tube piece so as to define a housing seat 22 having a substantially tubular shape.

Preferably, the device 10 comprises means for regulating the juxtaposition of the first half-shell 18 with respect to the second half-shell 20. In particular, the device 10 comprises a first pair of coupling teeth 26 (FIG. 2) opposed and parallel to each other and suitable to be engaged in respective notches 30 (FIG. 3).

Preferably, each tooth 26 is integrally formed on a respective edge of the first half-shell 18 facing the second half-shell 20, and each notch 30 is made in a corresponding elastic tongue 28 integrally fixed on a respective edge of the second half-shell 20, facing the first half-shell 18.

Preferably, each elastic tongue 28 is provided with two or more notches 30 arranged at different heights (FIG. 3).

The insertion of each coupling tooth 26 in one of the notches 30 allows for the regulation of the mutual position between the two half-shells 18 and 20 and, in consequence, the section of the guide seat 22, so as to adapt the device 10 to flexible tubes having different diameters.

Preferably, in the illustrated solution the tongues 28 and the teeth 26 are formed on a portion of curvature 29 a, 29 b respectively of the first half-shell 18 and of the second half-shell 20.

As it will be better described hereafter in the description, the elastic tongues 28 also serve as maneuvring tongues for the disengagement of the coupling teeth 26 from the notches 30.

To ensure a further firm coupling of the two half-shells 18 and 20, the device 10 comprises further pairs of coupling teeth 34 opposed and parallel to each other, and corresponding tracks 35 provided with relative notches, also opposed and parallel to each other, for housing the coupling teeth 34.

Preferably, each one of the tracks 35 is made on a respective edge of the first half-shell 18 (FIG. 2), whereas each one of the coupling teeth 34 is made on a relative edge of the second half-shell 20 (FIG. 3).

Preferably, the tracks 35 and the coupling teeth 34 are made on a portion of the relative half-shells 18 and 20 intended to be placed inside the edge 14 of the tank (FIG. 5).

According to another characteristic of the invention, the device 10 comprises guide means to guide and facilitate the juxtaposition of the two half-shells 18 and 20.

These guide means comprise a pair of ribs 31 opposed and parallel to each other suitable to be inserted sliding in corresponding slits 32.

Preferably, each one of the ribs 31 is made on an edge of the first half-shell 18 (FIG. 2), and each slit 32 is made on a respective edge of the second half-shell 20 (FIG. 3).

Preferably, the ribs 31 and the grooves 32 are made on a portion of the relative half-shells 18 and 20 intended to be placed outside the edge 14 of the tank (FIG. 5).

As it is possible to note from FIG. 1, with reference to the U-like curvature of the support element 16, the first half-shell 18 serves as an intrados half-shell suitable to be mounted directly on the edge 14 of the tank 15 mouth, whereas the second half-shell 20 serves as an extrados half-shell placed above the first half-shell 18 to form a sort of protection cover for the flexible tube 12.

In conformity with this different function, the first half-shell 18 and the second half-shell 20 exhibit structural characteristics different from each other.

In particular, the intrados half-shell 18 comprises a first branch 40, intended to be placed outside the edge 14 of the tank and a second branch 41 intended to be placed inside the edge 14 of the tank. The second branch 41 is made in such a way as to have a greater elasticity than the first branch 40. Preferably, the first branch 40 is made of stiff plastic material, whereas the second branch 41 is made of plastic material having a considerably greater elasticity than the first branch 40.

The elasticity of the second branch 41 allows the adaptation of the curvature radius of the intrados half-shell 18 at the edges 14 of aquarium tanks which have different thicknesses.

Close to the opposite ends of the branch 40 and of the branch 41, the half-shell 18 comprises a pair of seats, respectively 45 and 46 (FIG. 2), for the insertion of a rubber bulb or of a suction cup 47 to allow a greater adherence on the tank edge 14.

FIG. 5 shows a pair of opposing suction cups 47 inserted in the respective seats 45 and 46.

The first half-shell 18 also comprises the above-described curvature portion 29 a, which connects the two branches 40 and 41.

It is to be noted that the portion of curvature 29 a exhibits, on its concave side, a reinforcing pad 48 to avoid an excessive bending of the half-shell 18.

It is also to be noted that the first branch 40 exhibits ribs 50 for resting on the tank edge 14.

The second half-shell 20 exhibits a first branch 51 intended to be placed outside the tank edge 14 and a second branch 52 intended to be placed inside the tank edge 14.

The first branch 51 has a stiff structure whereas the second branch 52 is shaped in such a way as to exhibit a greater elasticity than the first branch 51.

In particular, to obtain the greatest elasticity, the second branch 52 is provided with an open ring 56 and with a brace-like portion 54, having reduced width with respect to the first branch 51, which connects the open ring 56 to the portion of curvature 29 b.

The above-described coupling teeth 34 are made on the open ring 56.

The hereinbefore described mounting of the device 10 is carried out in the following way.

The first intrados half-shell 18 equipped with suction cups 47 is placed on the upper edge 14 of the tank 15. Due to the elasticity of the second branch 41 of the half-shell 18, the suction cups 47 are made to adhere on the opposite sides of the tank edge 14.

Subsequently, the flexible tube 12 is housed in the housing seat 22 of the half-shell 18. Thanks to its flexibility, the tube 12 takes a correct curvature.

Subsequently, the second half-shell 20 is inserted in a guided way from above the tube 12 making the ribs 31 of the first half-shell 18 track in the respective slits 32.

The second half-shell 20 is pushed downwards until coupling teeth 26 are made to click into the notches 30 made in the elastic tongues 28.

In so doing, the desired juxtaposition of the two half-shells 18 and 20 is executed to form a housing seat 22 of a predetermined section within which the flexible tube 12 is retained in position.

As mentioned above, the elastic tongues 28 are provided with one or more notches 30 arranged at different heights. The insertion into one or the other of the notches 30 allows a housing seat 22 to be obtained having a desired section adapted to the diameter of the flexible tube 12 used.

Subsequently, a user acts on the portion of the second half-shell 18 having the open ring 56 to make the coupling teeth 34 click into the relative notches of the tracks 35.

Thanks to the above-described elasticity of the brace 54 of the second half-shell 20 it is possible to adapt the curvature of the second half-shell 20 to the curvature of the flexible tube 12 without the risk of cracks or breaks of the half-shell.

It is to be also noted that on each side of the open ring 56 at least two or more coupling teeth 34 are formed. This also allows the regulation of the mutual position of the two half-shells 18 and 20 and the obtention of a correct adaptation of the housing seat 22 to the diameter of the flexible tube 12.

From the description reported up to now, it can be deduced that the coupling teeth 26 and 34, the elastic tongues 28 and the tracks 35 serve both as juxtaposition elements and as elements to regulate the mutual position of the two half-shells 18 and 20 and to obtain the desired section of the seat 22.

To disassemble the flexible tube 12, one can proceed in the opposite way with respect to what has been described up to now.

Firstly, the elastic tongues 28 are disengaged from the relative ties and thus the half-shell 20 can be taken off in a upward direction with respect to the lower half-shell 18. In particular, the teeth 34 slide in the tracks 35 and the ribs 31 slide in the slits 32.

To facilitate the disengagement of the elastic tongues, the ends of the elastic tongues are provided with edges 61 which are curved outwards. By widening the edges 61 it is possible to obtain the desired disengagement.

The main advantage of the present invention is the possibility of fixing in a firm way a flexible tube of any diameter to the edge of an aquarium tank. In particular, due to the presence of two half-shells it is possible to vary, according to need, the volume of the housing seat of the flexible tube.

Thus, it is not necessary to use fittings, which can cause leakage.

A further advantage of the present invention, thanks to the above intrados half-shell elasticity, is the possibility of adapting the device to tank edges having different shapes and dimensions from each other.

In this regard, it is to be noted that, thanks to the elasticity of the second extrados half-shell branch, it is possible to vary the curvature of the flexible tube by adapting it to that of the intrados tube, without the risk of making the flexible tube collapse.

With reference to the elasticity of the second intrados half-shell branch 41, a further advantage is the possibility of maintaining the flexible tube in the correct position thanks to the presence of the suction cups or bulbs that are constantly pressed on the tank mouth edge by the elastic reaction of the elastic branch 41.

A further advantage is the device installation and disassembly ease thanks to the presence of coupling elements of intuitive use, such as the ribs and the relative slits or the coupling teeth and the relative notches.

Obviously, a person of ordinary skill in the art could implement several changes and modifications to the above described fixing device, with the aim of meeting contingent and specific needs, the changes being however all within the scope of protection of the invention as defined in the following claims. 

1. A fixing device for fixing a flexible tube to an aquarium tank, of the type comprising a support element for the tube having substantially U-like curved shape and suitable to be engaged astride an edge of the tank, wherein the support element comprises a first half-shell and a second half-shell juxtaposed to each other to form a housing seat of predetermined section for housing the flexible tube.
 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein each one of said first and second half-shells substantially has the shape of a half-tube piece so as to define a substantially tubular housing seat.
 3. The device according to claim 1, further comprising regulation means for regulating the mutual juxtaposition of said two half-shells so as to vary the section of the housing seat.
 4. The device according to claim 3, wherein said regulation means comprise at least one pair of coupling teeth opposed and parallel to each other and suitable to be engaged in respective notches.
 5. The device according to claim 4, further comprising manoeuvring tongues for the disengagement of the coupling teeth of the notches (30).
 6. The device according to claim 4, wherein a first pair of teeth is formed on a respective edge of said first half-shell facing said second half-shell and a respective first pair of notches is made on a respective edge of said second half-shell, facing said first half-shell.
 7. The device according to claim 4, wherein a second pair of teeth is formed on a respective edge of said second half-shell facing said first half-shell and a respective second pair of notches is made on a respective edge of said first half-shell, facing said second half-shell.
 8. The device according to claim 6, wherein said first pair of teeth and said first pair of respective notches are formed on a portion of curvature respectively of said first half-shell and of said second half-shell.
 9. The device according to claim 1, further comprising guide means for guiding the juxtaposition of said first half-shell and of said second half-shell.
 10. The device according to claim 9, wherein said guide means comprise a pair of ribs opposed and parallel to each other suitable to be inserted in corresponding slits.
 11. The device according to claim 1, wherein said first half-shell serves as an intrados half-shell suitable to be mounted directly astride the edge of the tank, and wherein said second half-shell serves as an extrados half-shell placed above said first half-shell.
 12. The device according to claim 11, wherein said first half-shell comprises a first branch, intended to be placed outside the edge of the tank and made in such a way as to have a determined stiffness, and a second branch intended to be placed inside the edge of the tank and made in such a way as to have a higher elasticity than said first branch.
 13. The device according to claim 12, wherein close to the opposite ends of the first branch and of the second branch, said first half-shell comprises a pair of seats for the insertion of a rubber bulb or of a suction cup suitable to adhere to the edge of the tank mouth.
 14. The device according to claim 12, wherein said first half-shell comprises a portion of curvature which connects the two branches and which is provided with a reinforcing pad.
 15. The device according to claim 11, wherein said second half-shell exhibits a branch intended to be placed outside the edge of the tank mouth and a second branch intended to be placed inside the edge of the tank mouth and having elasticity different from said first branch.
 16. The device according to claim 15, wherein said first branch is made of stiff material and wherein said second branch is provided with an open ring which is connected to the first branch by means of a brace-like portion. 